Domestic labour favoured for WA gas project

Domestic labour will be favoured in the hunt for more than 5000 workers for Chevron's $US29 billion Wheatstone gas project in Western Australia, the state government said.

WA Commerce Minister Simon O'Brien said on Wednesday Chevron and lead contractor Bechtel intended to fill as many positions as possible within Australia.

"I congratulate Chevron and Bechtel for taking this action at a time when there is considerable discussion about resource project proponents, and their attitude to the use of Australian workers," Mr O'Brien said in a statement.

"In my experience, project proponents are very keen to employ locally and overseas sourcing is only pursued when no viable local alternative exists."

Chevron has borne the brunt of union ire over the number of contracts it has awarded to Australian companies for its huge Gorgon liquefied natural gas project in WA, but has indicated that more "local content" (local suppliers and contractors) will be used during operational phases than during construction.

Mr O'Brien said the state was achieving higher than 80 per cent levels of local content on onshore projects and 50 per cent and growing levels on offshore projects.